Former Wolverine Tom Brady Feeling Young As Training Camp Opens

By Associated Press&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Sun 4:33 PM, Jul 29, 2007

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Tom Brady is about to reach two milestones: the age of 30, and fatherhood. But the New England Patriots quarterback says he doesn't feel like he's entering a new phase of life. "I still feel like I'm 22," Brady said after a Patriots training camp practice Sunday. "I don't know if that's good or bad." Brady's former girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan, is expecting their child this summer. They split up late last year after a three-year relationship, and Brady has been dating model Gisele Bundchen. Asked if becoming a father would make this season different from his first seven in the NFL, Brady said, "I don't know. I haven't had a child yet. I'll tell you when it happens." On the subject of football, Brady said he was impressed with new Patriots receiver Randy Moss, acquired in a draft-weekend trade with Oakland. "He's in great shape," Brady said. "He does a lot of great things out here. And he's a very, very smart football player. He's one of those guys who can see things on the field and react without you really having to tell him. He's very much like a quarterback in that sense." Near the end of Sunday morning's practice, Brady threw a ball high -- and ultimately incomplete -- into the end zone for Moss, who was double-teamed. Expect to see more of that this year from the Patriots, who have never had a leaper like the 6-foot-4 Moss. "One of Randy's greatest strengths, I think, is he tracks the ball in the air very well," Brady said. "Everything looks effortless down the field. He really judges the height of the ball, like a center fielder. He knows when to put his hands out, knows not to do it too early because that really triggers the defensive back to put his hands up. "That's a big strength of his game. I hope I can throw it as far as he can run." Moss might not have many chances to snare Brady passes in practice. The quarterback, who has won three Super Bowls and two Super Bowl MVPs, says he's cutting down on his throws this summer to avoid wear and tear on his arm. Consider it a concession to age. The Patriots have made four straight playoff appearances, but they are coming off a 38-34 loss to the Colts in the AFC championship game. New England blew a 21-6 halftime lead and saw its dreams of a fourth Super Bowl in six seasons evaporate. "You learn from situations like that," Brady said. "And I hope we all learned a very valuable lesson in that game." One lesson appeared to be that they needed help at wide receiver. So they traded for Moss and Wes Welker, signed Donte' Stallworth and Kelley Washington as free agents and re-signed veteran Troy Brown. Brady and the newcomers will spend the summer getting on the same page. "Sometimes it happens sooner rather than later," Brady said. "It all depends on how much work you put in, how competitive the drills are, how well you do in the preseason games, what you learn from each other. I'd like to think we're going to pick it up pretty quick, though. "If we keep working hard, if we keep coming out here and concentrating and putting maximum effort out here, it'll come fast. I hope it doesn't take until the first game of the year. I hope that after 30 or 40 practices we have a pretty good idea of what we're all capable of."

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